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I had the amazing opportunity last week to attend a business convention in Orlando, Florida.
I kept going back and forth with myself about going because I had all these things on my mind (mom worries) like who would keep the kids? How would I get to and from the airport? Could I get the same flight as the others I was traveling with did? The list was endless. It was a list of things I really didn’t NEED to worry about because God worked it all out.
I’m so glad that He did because I really had a great time of learning, growing, & encouragement. (It’s nice to get filled up with those good things!)
On my way back home, I remember standing in line at the airport waiting to go through security. I love to fly, but going through security is one of the things I dread the most about flying. I REALLY do appreciate ALL that the airport security does to keep travelers safe. It’s not that aspect of it that I dread. The reason I don’t look forward to it is because it’s so fast paced, and chaotic, and makes me have anxiety.
What makes it so chaotic is that you’ve got to take your shoes off, jacket, bracelets and jewelry (think about anything that could potentially set off the metal detectors.), take out your laptop or electronic, take your bag of liquids out of your carry on, & empty all of your pockets all while shuffling around LOTS of other people trying to do the same thing. It gives me a headache just thinking about it. (This is one reason I stay VERY mindful of what I’m wearing while flying, and the type of shoes I choose so I can just slip them on and off!!)
When all of your belongings are on the conveyor belt for them to check, and your bags go through the scanners, you pretty much just have the clothes on your back. Everything else gets scanned, and checked and searched, and YOU even get scanned when you step into a body scanning machine! A few times, they have even checked my hair bun!
Why am I mentioning all of this? Well, because there is something freeing that happens when you leave all that baggage on the conveyor belt. You don’t feel stuffy. You don’t feel weighed down.
See what happens after all of your personal items get searched, and you get the green light to move forward, is that you have to put everything back on or in your bag. Your shoes, jacket, jewelry, and anything else you’ve taken off or out of your pocket goes with you. You can’t leave any of it behind.
This got me thinking….spiritually.
There are many times that you WANT to lay your burdens or “baggage” at the foot of Jesus. You sincerely say, Lord, take this worry, fear, anxiety, depression, heartache, etc. away from me.
And God already has!
1 Peter 5:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)
“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].”
But because of human nature, what happens is, you pick those burdens and “baggage” right back up again, sometimes unintentionally, because you are used to defaulting to it! (I’m guilty too!) It could be within minutes, hours, or even days that you think those burdens need to come back with you. My friend, they don’t. God has given you the power to conquer all through the cross!
Once and for all, lay those things that have weighed you down for so long at the cross, and never look back!